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Large Rear Exhaust (Muffler) Heat Shield - not needed?

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by GT4Prius, Apr 26, 2016.

  1. GT4Prius

    GT4Prius Active Member

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    prius heat shield.jpg
    This Heat Shield fell off my 2007 Prius yesterday. It was located just in front of the rear axle, between the exhaust (or "muffler" as you say in the States), and what I assume to be the spare wheel carrier. Whether it is anywhere near the petrol tank I don't know. It is on the same side as the petrol filler cap.
    I spoke to the Toyota dealer to get it repaired, but he says that the Prius will be fine without it and perfectly safe.
    It seems surprising that Toyota would fit it if it's not needed, but I guess it's just needed in hotter climate, perhaps.

    Has anyone else had experience of running their Gen 2 Prius without this heat shield, and experienced any problems?
     

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  2. Kenny94945

    Kenny94945 Active Member

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    Well, it was there for a reason.
    Guessing it as to keep items in the truck area from heating up.

    How hard is it to re-install?
    Fell off because those three mounting holes shown in the photo elongated?
    Some over sized washers may just make it able to be re-bolted on.
     
  3. Kenny94945

    Kenny94945 Active Member

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    Well, it was there for a reason.
    Guessing it as to keep items in the truck area from heating up.

    How hard is it to re-install?
    Fell off because those three mounting holes shown in the photo elongated?
    Some over sized washers may just make it able to be re-bolted on.
     
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  4. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    It looks just fine, I'd follow ken's advice. Are the bolts still on the body?

    Seems like a real slacker dealership, btw.
     
  5. GT4Prius

    GT4Prius Active Member

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    Thanks for the replies.

    I have also sent an email to another local dealership for a second opinion, but not received an answer yet. However, I also have received the following from a former Senior UK Priuschat member:

    "For once the dealer is correct. That is the heat shield that made a bad rattle on my car, and I eventually removed it without problems.
    If you can remove the nuts which held it in place you can refit it with large washers to cover the rusted out fixing holes "one either side", but I would not bother."

    Yes, the bolts are still there but my experience of past attempts to remove heat shield mounting bolts is that they are seized up and shear off in the attempt to remove them. My UK contact is very knowledgeable and experienced and I plan to follow his advice.
     
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  6. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    I had a look at the underside on ours, last summer, cleaning and applying a wax/oil rustproofing coating. There were some plastic panels held on by small bolts: I was barely able to remove some. I suspect another year or two would see them completely seized. This is on a low mileage 2010, garage stored and not in the snow belt.
     
  7. Nozzavtr

    Nozzavtr Active Member

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    sorry to bump this thread, but I've had the same issue with the above part falling off the car. I've bought a new shield to go on (£103, not cheap!) but I have a problem with the bolt turning in the thread and not coming loose. I've seen that the bolt goes into a metal part that sits in a plastic part and it looks like the whole bit is turning and not coming loose. My question is anyone have any ideas as to how to loosen the bolt at all? Managed to get one bolt undone, am struggling with the other two!
     
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  8. Stephen Knight

    Stephen Knight New Member

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    I’m having the same issue trying to get these bolts out. They just turn. A assume there must be an insert into which they screw which is just turning. Did you get yours out in the end or find another work around?

    Any advice gratefully received!

    Stephen
     
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  9. MasterPri08

    MasterPri08 Junior Member

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    What ended up happening? Were you eventually able to get the other bolt loose? I'm trying to avoid the dealership with this seemingly simple problem, but is seems via these forums, it's a real pain in the nice person.
     
  10. Nobby Stiles

    Nobby Stiles Junior Member

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    This has just happened to me in the UK it must be the condition of our roads Where do I come to for good advice you guessed it Prius chat I'm not going to put it back on
     
  11. Nozzavtr

    Nozzavtr Active Member

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    sorry for the delay in replying, basically I made a u shaped clip that went between the bolt and the heat shield, its hard to describe to be fair but the u clamp slid in between the bolt washer and the back of the bolt.
     
  12. edthefox5

    edthefox5 Senior Member

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    It’s there for a reason. If your going to run without it check how how hot the floor area is in the hatch above it and check the 12 volt battery how hot that’s getting as the muffler is right under it.

    Mufflers get wicked hot.
     
  13. Nozzavtr

    Nozzavtr Active Member

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    Believe as well as part of the MOT (in the UK) you need to have the heat shield on if they came from the factory with it as per a recent change, only reason I put mine back on.
     
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  14. Daniel Polo

    Daniel Polo New Member

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    Thank you for share your experience.

    Anyone have the part number of this sheld?

    Beat regards
     
  15. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    There’s some online Toyota parts depts; try Mcgeorge Toyota, enter your cars stats and have a look.
     
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  16. Raytheeagle

    Raytheeagle Senior Member

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    Keychain on its way(y).
     
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